Track shoe with resilient cushion insert



Feb. 9, 1960 F. L. HAUSHALTER 2,924,490

TRACK SHOE WITH RESILIENT CUSHION; INSERT Original Filed Jan. 15, 1957 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

FRED L. HA USHALTER M MQ ATTORNEYS F. L. HAUSHALTER TRACK SHOE WITHRESIILIENTVCUSHION INSERT Original Filed Jan. 15, 1957 Feb. 9, 1960 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FRED L. HAUSHALTER 7 BY M W ATTORNEYS Feb. 9,1960 TRACK SHOE WITH RESILIENT CUSH Original Filed Jan. 15, 1957 F. L.HAUSHALTER ION INSERT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I FRED L.HAUSHALTER ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent TRACK SHOE WITH RESILIENT CUSHION INSERT Fred L.Haushalter, Pontiac, Mich.

Original application January 15, 1957, Serial No. 634,221. Divided andthis application January 27, 1958, Serial No. 711,322

15 Claims. (Cl. 305-38) This invention relates generally to resilientcushion inserts, and constitutes a division of my application Serial No.634,221 filed January 15, 1957.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a stressedinsert of resilient rubber-like material within and projecting outwardlyfrom a recess in a rigid member, such as a track shoe for an endlesstrack type tractor to serve as a ground engaging traction member.

Another object is to provide an insert of the type mentioned thatoriginally had a width greater than the distance between opposite sidewalls of the recess and that is stretched into said recess in adirection transverse to the width thereof, whereby said stretchedinsert, when released, is under sufficient compression between and infrictional surface to surface engagement with opposite side walls ofsaid recess to be retained permanently in said recess withoutvulcanization.

Another object is to provide an insert of the type mentioned wherein oneor more rigid elements originally employed to stretch the insert intothe recess are left permanently in and have portions that projectoutwardly from said insert to serve as cooperating ground engaging iatented Feb. 9, 1960 Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view takensubstantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing the shoebroken away, and showing a modified construction.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 7 but showing anothermodification.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing in section a modifiedform of pressure exerting means wherein the plate-like elements aresimilar to those in Fig. 8; wherein the cross bar is removable from saidplate-like elements, and wherein the attaching pin for the cross bar isshown separated from both the cross bar and the plate-like elements.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing another modification.

In the drawings, 10 is a rigid member, such as a track bar or track shoefor an endless track type tractor, having a downwardly openingchannel-shaped recess 11 containing an elongated outwardly projectingstressed insert 12 of resilient rubber-like material adapted to serve asa members that are especially useful as traction elements in softground, mud, snow and the like.

Another object is to provide a construction wherein the insert has oneor more preformed outwardly opening slots for the reception of the rigidelements mentioned, and wherein the outwardly projecting portions ofsaid rigid elements are adapted to be engaged by a separate cross barcapable of being detachably locked by a removable pin to said portions,whereby said rigid elements and cross bar collectively may be employedas a thrust or pressure exerting means to stretch the insert into therecess.

Another object is to provide a track shoe structure that is simple inconstruction, economical to manufacture and efficient in operation.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of thisinvention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds,especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 11 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view through the track shoe and through theinsert and pressure exerting member, before the insert is stretched intothe channel-shaped recess in the track shoe.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through a modification wherein a pairof plate-like rigid portions of the pressure exerting member are withinspaced slots in the insert, and the latter is partially stretched intothe channel-shaped recess in the track shoe.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a track bar or track shoe embodying myinvention with parts broken away and in section.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of track shoe containinga pair of resilient inserts arranged in V formation.

ground engaging traction member. Originally, the insert 12 had a widthgreater than the distance between opposite side walls 13 and 14respectively of the recess 11, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and such insertalso had a preformed outwardly opening relatively thin preformed slot 15for the reception of a correspondingly thin plate-like portion 16 of asubstantially T-shaped rigid thrust or pressure exerting member 17 bywhich the insert 12 is stretched into the recess 11. Preferably, theslot 15 extended in depth from the rear surface of the insert 12 towithin a short distance of its forward surface 18. If desired, theforward surface 18 of the insert may be rounded, as illustrated in Fig.2, to facilitate the insertion of the insert 12 into the recess 11.

When forward pressure is applied to the cross bar 19 of the pressuremember 17, the insert 12 is forced edgewise into the recess 11, and suchpressure stretches said insert 12 in a direction transverse to the widthof the recess 11. Hence the width of said stretched insert is reduced,and said insert is under stress between and in frictional surface, tosurface engagement with opposite side walls 13 and 14 respectively ofsaid recess. The plate-like portion 16 of the pressure member 17 is thenwithdrawn from the slot 15, whereupon the contraction of the resilientmaterial of the insert 12 will close the slot 15. As a result the insert12 will be retained permanently in said recess 11 without vulcanization.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a modification wherein the insert 20 has apair of spaced preformed outwardly opening slots 21 and 22 respectivelyin the central portion thereof for the reception of a pair of spacedthin platelike portions 23 and 24 respectively of a substantiallyT-shaped rigid thrust or pressure exerting member 25. This will providea more stable construction than that illustrated in Fig. 2 forstretching the insert 20 edgewise into the recess 11. When the spacedportions 23 and 24 of the pressure member 25 are withdrawn from theslots 21 and 22, the contraction of the resilient material of the insert20 will close the slots 21 and 22.

In Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive the contraction required for closing the slotsin the resilient insert is less than the total stretching duringinsertion, so that in each instance the insert is still under stresstending to expand the same transversely after the pressure exertingmember is withdrawn. This will insure sufiicient frictional surface tosurface engagement between the insert and opposite side walls of therecess to retain the insert permanently in the recess withoutvulcanization.

As the pressure of the member 25 is applied to the insert 20 at thecentral portion thereof, the outer side portions 26 and 27 respectivelyof the insert 20 are retarded by frictional engagement with the oppositeside walls 13 and 140f the recess 11. Hence the central portion oftheinsert 20 will be advanced to a greater degree than the outer sideportions 26 and 27 thereof. This could cause the rear surface of theinsert to be objectionably concaved when insertion is completed. Toavoid this, I have provided aninsert wherein the center portion 28thereof between the spaced slots 21 and 22' initially projectsrearwardly beyond the outer side portions 26 and 27 of the' insert.Thus, during insertion the friction of the spaced portions 23 and 24 ofthe pressure exerting member-25 on the rearwardly projecting centerportion 28 of the insert will draw said rearwardly projecting centerportion 28 inwardly so that its rear surface will be substantially flushwith the rear surfaces of the outer side portions26 and 27 wheninsertion is completed.

As shown in Fig. 4, the track bar or track shoe 110 of an endless tracktype tractor is provided throughout its length with the downwardlyopening channel-shaped recess 11, but the vertical depth of the centralportion 30 of the recess is greater than the vertical depth thereof atopposite end portions 31 and 32. The insert 12 extends the full lengthof the recess 11 and is fashioned to correspond in depth to therespective portions 30, 31 and 32 thereof. Such insert 12 may beprovided with a single preformed outwardly opening slot such as 15 inFigs. 1 and 2 for the reception of a single plate-like portion of arigid thrust or pressure exerting member such as 17, or may be providedwith spaced preformed outwardly opening slots such as 21 and 22in Fig. 3for the reception of a pair of spaced plate-like portions 23 and 24 of arigid thrust or pressure exerting member, such as 25 in Fig. 3, wherebysuch insert may be stretched edgewise into the recess as abovedescribed. When the pressure member is withdrawn, the slot or slots, asthe case may be, will be closed by contraction of the insert, and thelatter will be retained permanently in the recess without vulcanization.

'In Figs. and 6 I have illustrated a modification wherein a track bar ortrack shoe 40 has spaced lugs 41, 42 and 43 respectively at one edgethereof and has spaced lugs 44 and 45 at the opposite edge thereof forpivotal connection with mating lugs of adjacent corresponding track barsor track shoes (not shown). On the underside of the track bar or trackshoe 40 are two downwardly opening channelshaped recesses 46 and 47arranged in V formation and containing outwardly projecting inserts 48and 49 respectively of resilient material that serve as ground engagingtraction members. These recesses 46 and 47 can be formed in the originalcasting or by spaced bars 50 and 51 welded to the casting. The inserts48 and 49 are inserted edgewise into the recesses 46 and &7 and arepermanently retained therein without vulcanization, as aforesaid. Ifdesired, similar inserts such as 52 and 53 respectively may be stretchedinto channel-shapedrecesses in the top of the track bar or track shoe.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated another modification wherein opposite sidewalls 13 and 14 respectively of the downwardly opening recess 11 in thetrack shoe are provided with inwardly projecting lugs 60 and 61respectively which are embedded in opposite sides of the outwardlyprojecting resilient insert 62. One or more such lugs may be struck fromeither or both side walls 13 and 14 of the recess 11 after the insert 62has been fully advanced edge wise into the recess to serve as additionalanchorage means for the insert.

As thus far described the rigid thrust or pressure exerting members usedfor stretching the inserts into the recesses are later withdrawn fromthe slots in the inserts, and the slots in such inserts are then closedby contraction of the resilient material of the inserts.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have illustrated another modification wherein one ormore plate-like elements originally employed to stretch the insertedgewise into the recess are left permanently in and have portions thatproject outwardly from the insert to serve as cooperating groundengaging 4 members that are especially useful as traction elements insoft ground, mud, snow or-the like.

As shown in (Figs. 8 and 9, a pair of spaced relatively thin plate-likerigid elements and 81 respectively engage preformed outwardly openingspaced slots 82 and 83 respectively in the central portion of an insert84 of resilient material (corresponding to the insert 20 in Pig. 3) andhave spaced substantially parallel portions 85 and 86 respectively thatproject outwardly from the insert 84. Initially the portions 85 and 86of said rigid elements 80 and 81 are engaged by a separate cross-bar 87,and the latter is detachably locked by a removable pin 88 to saidportions 85 and 86, whereby said cross bar 87 and rigid elements 80 and81 collectively may be employed as a thrust or pressure exerting memberto stretch the insert 84 edgewise, as previously described, into thedownwardly opening channel-shaped recess 11 in the track bar or trackshoe 10 for anendless track typev tractor.

Preferably the removablecross bar 87 isprovided intermediate its endswith spaced slotsv 89 and 90 for receiving the outwardlyproje'ctingportions 85 and 86 or the rigid elements 80 and. 81, and isprovided. lengthwise thereof with an opening 91 adapted to register withopen ings 92 and 93 in the outwardly projecting portions 85 and 86 ofthe rigid elements 80.and 81. The removable pin 88 engages. theregistering openings 90, 92 and 93 respectively in the cross bar andoutwardly projecting portions 85 and 86 to detachably lock the cross:bar 87 to said outwardly projecting portions 85 and 86. C011 sequently,the outwardly projecting portions 85 and 86 of the rigid elements 80 and81 perform a dual function; first as a part of the thrust or pressureexerting means andsecond as traction elements.

After the insert 84 has been stretched edgewise into the. recess 11 asaforesaid, then both the cross bar 87 and pin 88 are removed or detachedfrom the rigid elements 80 and 81 so that the outwardly projectingportions 85 and 86 of said rigid elements may serve as cooperatingground engaging members for use as traction elements in soft ground,mud, snow and the like. Also, such projecting portions 85 and 86 of therigid elements 80 and 81 may be useful for propelling amphibiousvehicles through water.

When the rigid elements 80 and 81 are left permanently in the insert 84they are preferably formed of tempered or hardened metal. Also, it is tobe noted that there is no contractionof the resilient material of theinsert 84 in Figs. 8 and 9 because the rigid elements 88 and 81 are notwithdrawn. Hence, the insert 84 is more securely anchored or retainedpermanently in the recess 11, because such insert 84 is under greaterstress between and is in tighter frictional surface to surfaceengagement with opposite side walls 13 and 14 of the recess 11.

-In Fig. 10 I have illustrated a construction similar to thatillustrated in Fig. 4, except that the outer surface 95 of the outwardlyprojecting insert 96 is corrugated to provide better traction.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, and an insert ofresilient material having a compressed portion within said recess andhaving the remaining portion thereof outside said recess to serve as aground engaging traction member, said stressed portion of said insertoriginally having a width greater than the distance between oppositeside walls of said recess and being stretched into said recess in adirection transverse to the width thereof whereby said portion of saidinsert is under sufiicient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, the means forstretching said insert into said recess including a rigid elementpermanently anchored within and having a portion projecting outengagingtraction member.

2. A track shoe'for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, and an insert ofresilient material having a compressed portion within said recess andhaving the remaining portion thereof outside said recess to serve as aground engaging traction member, said-stressed portion of said insertoriginally having a width greater than the distance between oppositeside walls of said recess and being stretched into said recess ina'direction transverse to the width thereof whereby said portion of saidinsert is under sufficient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, the means forstretching said insert into said recess including a rigid platelikeelement permanently anchored within and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said insert to serve as a cooperating ground engagingtraction member.

3. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, and an insert ofresilient material having a compressed portion within said recess andhaving the remaining portion thereof outside said recess to serve as aground engaging traction member, said stressed portion of said insertoriginally having a width greater than the distance between oppositeside walls of said recess and being stretched into said recess in adirection transverse to the width'thereof whereby said portion of saidinsert is under sufficient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite.

side walls of said recess to be retained permanently in said recesswithout vulcanization, the means for stretching said insert into saidrecess including a pair of spaced rigid elements permanently anchoredwithin and having spaced portions projecting outwardly from said insertto serve as cooperating ground engaging traction members.

4. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material Within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insertoriginally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under sufficient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to'beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and a rigidelement permanently anchored within and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said insert to serve as a cooperating ground engagingtraction member.

5. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a vwidth greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under sufiicient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and a pair ofspaced rigid elements permanently anchored within and having spacedportions projecting outwardly from said insert to serve as cooperatingground engaging traction members.

6. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient materia within said recess and having a portion projecting01.11- wardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under sufficient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and aplate-like rigid element permanently anchored within and having aportion projecting outwardly from said insert to serve as a co operatingground engaging traction member.

7. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under suflicient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and a rigidelement permanently anchored within and having a portion projectingo'utwardly from said insert to serve as a cooperating ground engagingtraction member, said outwardly projecting portion of said rigid elementhaving an opening through which a locking pin is inserted to detachablyconnect a separate removable cross bar to said rigid element, wherebysaid cross bar and rigid element collectively constitute the means bywhich said insert is stretched into said recess.

8. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under sufficient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and a pair ofspaced rigid elements permanently anchored within and having spacedportions projecting outwardly from said insert to serve as cooperatingground engaging traction members, said spaced outwardly projectingportions of said rigid elements having aligned openings through which aremovable locking pin is inserted to detachably connect a separateremovable cross bar to said rigid elements, whereby said cross bar andrigid elements collectively constitute the means by which said insert isstretched into said recess.

9. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under suflicient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and a rigidelement permanently anchored within and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said insert to serve as a cooperating ground engagingtraction member, said outwardly projecting portion of said rigid elementhaving means by which a separate removable cross bar is detachablyconnected by a removable element to said rigid element, whereby saidcross bar and rigid element collectively constitute, the means by whichsaid insert is stretched into said recess.

10. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a Width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess'and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the Width thereof whereby saidinsert is under suflicient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and a singlemeans for stretching said insert into said recess and forming with saidinsert means for increasing the traction of the outwardly projectingportion of said insert.

11. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a, downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under sufficient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement withopposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and a singlemeans for stretching said insert into said recess and for increasing thetraction of the outwardly projecting portion of said insert, including arigid element having a portion per-manently anchored within said insert.

12. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under sufiicient compression between andin frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and a singlemeans for stretching said insert into said recess and for increasing thetraction of the outwardly projecting portion of said insert, includingspaced rigid elements having portions permanently anchored within saidinsert.

13. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material Within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the widththereof whereby said insertis under sufficient compression between and in frictional surface tosurface'engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and rigidmeans permanently anchored Within and having spaced portions projectingoutwardly from saidinsert to serve as cooperating ground engagingtraction members.

14. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under sufficient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and rigidmeans permanently anchored Within and having spaced portions projectingoutwardly from said insert to serve as cooperating ground engagingmembers, said spaced outwardly projecting portions of said rigid meanshaving aligned openings through which a removable element is inserted todetachably connect a separate cross bar to said rigid means whereby saidcrossbar and rigid means collectively are operable to stretch saidinsert into said recess.

15. A track shoe for an endless track type tractor comprising a rigidmember having a downwardly opening recess therein, a compressed insertof resilient material within said recess and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said recess to serve as a ground engaging tractionmember, said insert originally having a Width greater than the distancebetween opposite side walls of said recess and being stretched into saidrecess in a direction transverse to the width thereof whereby saidinsert is under sufficient compression between and in frictional surfaceto surface engagement with opposite side walls of said recess to beretained permanently in said recess without vulcanization, and rigidmeans permanently anchored within and having a portion projectingoutwardly from said insert to serve as a cooperating ground engagingtraction member, said outwardly projecting portion of said rigid elementhaving means by which a separate removable cross baris detachablyconnected by a removable element to said rigid means, wherebysaid crossbar and rigid means collectively are operable to stretch said insertinto said recess.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,279,386 McEvoy Sept. 17, 1918 1,947,474 Knox Feb. 20, 1934 2,064,890Dorst Dec. 22, 1936 2,312,072 Broadwater Feb. 23, 1943 2,686,697 BakerAug. 17, 1954 2,753,886 Powers July 10, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 148,625-Sweden Jan. 25, 1955

